The first week in October has traditionally been the day we set up the outside decorations, and thankfully the weather held out and we were able to get everything up and the garage cleaned up as well.

Once again we are using the spider and the horse and carriage but this year we have the luxury of not having to work around the lamp post which was removed when we had sod put in a couple months earlier. We think it makes it look more balanced without the post and are very happy with the results.

The indoor decorations are up as well and can be seen in the promotional video for James Halloween Party.
Continue reading “2019 OutsideHalloween Decorations” →

Today James took his last swim in the swimming pool as the weather is starting to get a wee bit chilly especially in the evening as the Fall season begins to take hold.

The haunted garage sale has sure come a long way and we were glad to be there for the ride. When we first went there it was in Belleville, then it moved to an Ice Rink in Canton, this year it moved to the Dearborn Community and Performing Arts Center – the same location James Dad graduated from some 40 years ago.

The parking was much better than the ice rink (plus so much closer to our home than either of the other two locations) and we had a blast there checking out the new and old Halloween decorations We did not buy alot (no room to put the stuff) but as always enjoyed the atmosphere as there were many people dressed for the occasion including Pennywise. James got a couple Goosebump Books, Mom got some funny Halloween artwork, and Dad got a Godzilla T shirt.

Continue reading “Haunted Garage Sale 2019” →

When Donald W Kleiber was born in 1933, in Michigan, his father, Benjamin, was 39 and his mother, Mildred, was 36.

He has two sons (Donald “Mike”, and Bruce) and one daughter (Sandy) with Mary Ann Chmura between 1954 and 1962.

He had three brothers and two sisters (Charles, Raymond, and the baby who died at childbirth are the three brothers, the two sisters were Dorothy and Virginia).

Donald Kleiber is James’ Great Uncle and lived for decades within walking distance of James Great Aunt Louise in Trenton and they both attended the same church, St Timothy Church just off West Road.

Donald and his wife Mary Ann are also James’ Dads Godparents and have been a strong influence in his life as their kindness to everyone they met was inspirational.

Continue reading “Remembering Donald Kleiber Born 1933” →

James celebrated his birthday at Buffalo Wild Wings with Grandma and Dynamike (who was performing there doing magic tricks and making balloons for kids). James got to open gifts at the restaurant and at home.

Everyone had a great time and Mom, Dad, Grandman, James, and Dynamike all enjoyed the evening and especially the food.

James felt a little under the weather when we got him home and he had a small cold which he shook off quickly, however he constantly reminds us of it as he thinks he should get compensation for being a little sick on his birthday, smart kid finding loopholes in everything.

With that in mind we thought we would give James his bonus… Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear James, Happy Birthday to you. Continue reading “James Birthday 2019” →

We saw this beautiful butterfly on some of Mary’s flowers in the back yard and could not resist taking some pictures of the beast.

Continue reading “Butterflies Are Free To Fly 2019” →

Pegs marker is finally in place, as its been almost a month since it came in, but I guess things move slowly at the cemetery. Pegs marker is the first one at least in this area that includes a picture, big thanks to cousins Ron and Renee who contributed the extra funds to make that picture possible. Our goal was to get the marker in place by Labor Day so that if the family wants to get together to view the marker we can.

I guess this officially closes the book on Aunt Pegs Funeral as everything has been taken care of that I know of. I think she would be happy with the arrangements made for her. Her marker is the closest to her mother Loretta which is something I know she would approve of.

Once again we all packed in the car, battled the traffic, and headed out to the 180 mile long US 12 garage sale. Traveling US 12 (aka Michigan Avenue near where we live) we noticed that there were not any garage sales until we reached Saline MI, once we hit Saline though there were plenty, most of them in large groups along US 12 rather than the individual garage sale. We did not actually buy anything till we hit the city of Clinton on US 12, where Dad got a lit up pumpkin for $2 and James got a sealed (new) set of photo albums. We continued our trek onto the Irish Hills where we found out that the barbecue restaurant there that we liked at the top of the hill was now a submarine shop, guess nothing last forever.
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James attended the 82nd Abbott Get Together in Colon Michigan along with his Mom, Dad, and Dynamike the Magician. Mom was hoping to get good seats for the show because her favorite performer, fellow Nashville Native Stephen Bargatze, was performing this particular night. Mary got to know Stephen several years back when he was performing at Abbotts Closeup Convention. When she was a child, she remembered her bus driver was called Sim Bargatze and she wanted to meet Stephen to see if that was a relative of his. She worked with Hank Moorehouse of Abbotts who introduced them and as it turned out, it was Stephens Uncle who drove her on the bus.

The show was great, Stephen was fantastic, and the seats were awesome, thanks to Abbotts for making this a very memorable experience for the whole family. Afterwards we went to the dealers room to see the latest magic for sale and everyone loved the “Devils Candle” effect which would be perfect for Halloween. After watching several demo’s we watched Abbott’s make the presentation of awards to the young magicians who completed in the stage talent contest earlier in the day.

A great time was had by all and we even included a short video of the Devils Candle!

Continue reading “82nd Abbott Get Together 2019” →